Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
6,138,533
|
Turtle
|
October 31, 2000
|
Wrench and extension bar
Abstract
A wrench apparatus includes a wrench head with a swivel adapter, a
combination handle and extension bar attachable to the swivel adapter, and
a ratchet head. The wrench head includes a tubular member with a
longitudinal slot, and an internal C-shaped brace dividing the tubular
member into two sockets at opposite ends thereof. One socket includes six
sides and five points and the other socket includes twenty sides and ten
points, so that both sockets can securely grip all six sides of a nut or
bolt. The points of one socket are offset radially relative to the points
on the other socket for providing smaller increments in repositioning
freedom. The swivel adapter pivotally attached between a pair of ears on
the wrench head by a removable pin, so that it can be removed and attached
between a like pair of ears on the ratchet head. The extension bar
includes a female end with a faceted outer surface that prevents it from
rolling on a slanted surface, and also enables the extension bar to be
gripped and turned by a conventional wrench. In an alternative embodiment,
the sockets have fully closed sides, and are divided by an annular brace
therebetween.
Inventors:
|
Turtle; Floyd Thomas (531-M Cypress St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437-5465)
|
Appl. No.:
|
299870 |
Filed:
|
April 27, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: |
81/124.3; 81/124.7; 81/177.2; 81/177.9; 403/157; 403/161 |
Intern'l Class: |
B25B 013/00; B25B 023/16 |
Field of Search: |
81/177.8,177.9,177.7,177.85,124.2,124.3,124.4,124.6,124.7,125.1
403/150,154,157,161
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
H1689 | Nov., 1997 | Foucher | 81/124.
|
1297846 | Mar., 1919 | Herrman | 81/125.
|
2774259 | Dec., 1956 | Caulkins | 81/124.
|
2832246 | Apr., 1958 | Livermont | 81/177.
|
2886998 | May., 1959 | Scott | 81/177.
|
3121356 | Feb., 1964 | Davis | 81/125.
|
3186265 | Jun., 1965 | Wenturine et al. | 81/177.
|
3270597 | Sep., 1966 | Neff et al. | 81/177.
|
3383962 | May., 1968 | Harris | 81/177.
|
4184783 | Jan., 1980 | Hall | 403/157.
|
5280740 | Jan., 1994 | Ernst | 81/177.
|
5522287 | Jun., 1996 | Chiang | 81/125.
|
Primary Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Assistant Examiner: Danganan; Joni B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fulwider Patton Lee & Utecht, LLP
Parent Case Text
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/935,237, filed Sep. 22, 1997 now pending.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wrench, comprising:
a tubular member having opposite ends;
a first socket arranged at one of said ends, said first socket having a
plurality of points; and
a second socket arranged at another one of said ends, said second socket
having a plurality of points radially offset relative to said points of
said first socket, so that fine repositioning increments are provided by
swapping said ends of said tubular member.
2. The wrench of claim 1 wherein said first socket includes a small number
of points for being repositioned in large angular increments, and said
second socket includes a greater number of points for being repositioned
in small angular increments, and, said points of said first socket being
radially offset relative to said points of said second socket.
3. The wrench of claim 1, further including a shank extending orthogonally
from a side of said tubular member, a pair of ears attached to said shank,
a swivel adapter having a semi-circular end positioned between said ears,
and a hinge pin extending through said ears and said semi-circular end of
said swivel adapter.
4. The wrench of claim 3, further including a ball positioned in said shank
and protruding slightly therefrom, said ball being loaded outwardly from
said shank against one of a plurality of detents on said semi-circular end
of said swivel adapter.
5. The wrench of claim 3, further including an annular detent arranged on a
wall of a hole in one of said ears, said hinge pin extending through said
hole, a ball positioned in said hinge pin and protruding slightly from a
side thereof, said ball being loaded outwardly from said hinge pin by a
spring positioned in said hinge pin, said ball engaging said annular
detent and securing said hinge pin in position, said ball retracting into
said hinge pin so as to enable removal of said hinge pin and separation of
said tubular member and said swivel adapter.
6. The wrench of claim 3, further including a female end arranged on said
swivel adapter opposite said semi-circular end, a hole extending axially
into said female end, and a plurality of flat facets on an outer surface
of said female end.
7. The wrench of claim 6, further including an extension bar having a male
end removably extending into said female end of said swivel adapter.
8. The wrench of claim 1, further including an annular brace positioned in
said tubular member between said first socket and said second socket.
9. A wrench, comprising:
a tubular member having opposite ends;
a first socket arranged at one of said ends, said first socket having a
plurality of points;
a second socket arranged at another one of said ends, said second socket
having a plurality of points radially offset relative to said points of
said first socket, so that fine repositioning increments are provided by
swapping said ends of said tubular member; and
a C-shaped brace arranged on an interior of said tubular member, opposite
surfaces of said C-shaped brace being normal to an axis of said tubular
member, an opening of said C-shaped brace aligned with said slot, said
opening sized for positioning around said threaded shaft.
10. The wrench of claim 9, wherein said opposite surfaces of said C-shaped
brace are concave so as to form a fillet between said C-shaped brace and
an internal side wall of said socket.
11. The wrench of claim 9 further including a plurality of raised ribs
extending along al edge of said opening of said C-shaped brace.
12. The wrench of claim 9 further including a shank extending orthogonally
from a side of said tubular member, a pair of ears attached to said shank,
a swivel adapter having a semi-circular end positioned between said ears,
and a hinge pin extending through said ears and said semi-circular end of
said swivel adapter.
13. The wrench of claim 12, further including a ball positioned in said
shank and protruding slightly therefrom, said ball being loaded outwardly
from said shank against one of a plurality of detents on said
semi-circular end of said swivel adapter.
14. The wrench of claim 13, further including an annular detent arranged on
a wall of a hole in one of said ears, said hinge pin extending through
said hole, a ball positioned in said hinge pin and protruding slightly
from a side thereof, said ball being loaded outwardly from said hinge pin
by a spring positioned in said hinge pin, said ball engaging said annular
detent and securing said hinge pin in position, said ball retracting into
said hinge pin so as to enable removal of said hinge pin and separation of
said tubular member and said swivel adapter.
15. A wrench, comprising:
a tubular member having opposite ends;
a first socket arranged at one of said ends, said first socket having a
plurality of points;
a second socket arranged at another one of said ends, said second socket
having a plurality of points radially offset relative to said points of
said first socket, so that fine repositioning increments are provided by
swapping said ends of said tubular member;
a C-shaped brace arranged on an interior of said tubular member, opposite
surfaces of said C-shaped brace being normal to an axis of said tubular
member, an opening of said C-shaped brace aligned with said slot, said
opening sized for positioning around said threaded shaft; and
wherein said first socket includes a small number of points for being
repositioned in large angular increments, and said second socket includes
a greater number of points for being repositioned in small angular
increments, and said points of said first socket being radially offset
relative to said points of said second socket.
16. A wrench, comprising:
a head having a first socket formed with having a plurality of points; and
a second socket coaxial with and opposite said first socket, said second
socket having a plurality of points radially offset relative to said
points of said first socket, so that fine repositioning increments are
provided by swapping said ends of said head;
a pair of spaced apart ears on the end of said head opposite said sockets;
first and second holes formed on said ears;
an annular detent arranged on a wall of one of said first and second holes
a hinge pin extending through the first and second holes; and
a swivel adapter supported by said hinge pin, said swivel adapter receiving
a combination handle and extension bar.
17. The wrench of claim 16 further including a ball positioned in said
hinge pin and protruding slightly from a side thereof, said ball being
loaded outwardly by a spring positioned in said hinge pin, said ball
engaging said annular detent and securing said hinge pin in position, said
ball retracting into said hinge pin so as to enable removal of said hinge
pin and separation of said head and swivel adapter.
18. A tool, comprising:
a head formed with a vertically extending socket;
a horizontal support projecting from the head;
a pair of spaced apart ears formed on the support;
first and horizontally aligned second holes in said ears;
a swivel adapter having a semi-circular end extending between said ears,
said semi-circular end having notches;
an annular detent arranged on a wall of one of said first and second holes;
a third hole formed in said semi-circular end, said first and second holes
and said third hole being horizontally aligned with each other;
a hinge pin removably extending through said first and second holes and
said third hole, said hinge pin being substantially flush with the sides
of said ears to permit use of the tool in tight spaces;
a ball positioned in said hinge pin and protruding slightly therefrom, said
ball being loaded outwardly by a spring positioned in said hinge pin, said
ball engaging said annular detent and securing said hinge pin in position,
said ball retracting into said hinge pin so as to enable removal of said
hinge pin and separation of said wrench and said swivel member;
a second spring-loaded ball disposed in said support selectively engageable
with the notches of the semi-circular end of the hinge pin to releasably
support the hinge pins at varying vertical angles relative to said head;
a cavity formed in the end of the hinge pin remote from the head; and
a combination handle and extension bar removably disposed in said cavity.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wrenches, such as socket, box,
flare-nut, and open-end wrenches, and also ratchet wrenches.
2. Prior Art
A socket wrench set typically includes a handle with a ratchet head, and
sockets of different sizes for interchangeably snapping onto the ratchet
head. Each socket comprises a tubular member with internal facets for
closely fitting over a nut or bolt, and a square hole in the opposite end
for receiving a male connector on the ratchet head. Extension bars can be
connected between the socket and the ratchet head for reaching deep into
confined areas. An extension bar typically comprises a square tip at a
male end for fitting into the square hole of a socket, and a square hole
at a female end for receiving the male connector on a ratchet head or the
male end of another extension bar. The outside surface of the female end
is cylindrical, so that the extension bar tends to roll away easily when
placed on a slanted surface, such as an uneven floor or the top of a
vehicle.
Several inches of clearance from the end of a nut or bolt must be available
for the socket to slip thereon. If not enough clearance is available, an
open-end wrench may be used. A typical open-end wrench includes a handle
with a pair of C-shaped wrench heads at the opposite ends. Each C-shaped
wrench head includes a pair of parallel internal sides for gripping the
opposite sides of a nut or bolt. The opening in the wrench head allows it
to be slipped onto a nut or bolt in a a direction perpendicular to the
axis thereof. However, the long handle limits the rotation of the wrench
in tight spaces. The wrench heads only grip two sides of a nut or bolt, so
that they tend to slip out easily or even strip the nut or bolt. Further,
many wrenches of different sizes must be provided, each with its own
handle, so that a complete set of wrenches is very bulky, heavy, and
costly. The many variations of such wrenches require a great deal of
natural resources to produce.
A box wrench is similar to an open-end wrench, except that the wrench heads
are closed circular loops. A typical box wrench head includes six facets
and six points (outer corners between the facets) for securely gripping
all six sides of a nut or bolt. It may be repositioned on a nut or bolt in
60 degree increments. Some box wrench heads include twenty-four facets and
twelve points, so that the wrench maybe repositioned on the nut or bolt in
30 degree increments when working in tight spaces. However, the long
handles limit rotation, and wrenches must be provided in many different
sizes, which may still be inadequate in some situations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,062, to Colvin (1997) shows a ratchet wrench with a
hole in the ratchet head for passing a stud. It includes a permanently
attached handle which cannot be used with other tool heads. U.S. Pat. No.
5,280,740 to Ernst (1994) shows a ratchet head pivotally connected to a
handle by a hinge pin. The pin is not removable, so that the handle cannot
be used with other tool heads. U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,189 to Marino (1994)
shows a box or socket wrench with a pivoting handle. It has all the
limitations of the aforemenetioned box and socket wrenches. U.S. Pat. No.
5,152,199 to Lain (1992) shows a ratchet head for being turned by an
adjustable jaw wrench. It includes no pivoting handle. U.S. Pat. No.
4,480,094 to Macor (1989) shows a socket wrench with a sliding insert for
providing a total of four socket sizes. The sockets all have twelve
points, and are radially aligned with each other, so that they are limited
to 30 degree increments when being repositioned. U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,862
to Scull (1988) shows an open end wrench with up to nine points. It is
limited to 30 degree increments when being repositioned, and its handle is
fixed at an orthogonal position relative to the axis of the nut or bolt.
Further, the wrench head may spread under load. U.S. Pat. No. 2,608,894 to
Miller, Jr. et al. (1952) shows a simple open end wrench with a pivoting
handle. U.S. Pat. No. 2,680,985 to Fish (1947) shows a ratchet wrench with
five points, so that it is limited to 60 degree increments in
repositioning. U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,515 to Orey et al. shows a socket
wrench with a pivoting handle. U.S. Pat. No. 1,456,290 to Tell (1921)
shows an adjustable wrench with only two points.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide an improved
wrench apparatus with a wrench head that securely grips all six sides of a
nut or bolt.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a wrench head with both five-point and ten-point sockets.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with an alternative wrench head with both six-point and twelve-point
sockets.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a wrench head that can be repositioned in finer increment for
maximizing rotation in tight spaces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a wrench head with a C-shaped internal brace for strength.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a handle which is interchangeable with different size wrench heads
for reduced bulk weight, and cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a combination handle and extension bar.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a handle or extension bar that tends to stay in position when placed
on a slanted surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench apparatus
with a swivel adapter for connecting the wrench heads to the handle, so
that the handle can be rotated up to 90 degrees to either side of the
wrench head, and enable the wrench head to be used as a speed wrench for
rotating nuts or bolts quickly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench
apparatus with a swivel adapter that can be interchangeably connected to
different wrench heads and ratchet heads.
Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a
consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
A wrench apparatus includes a wrench head with a swivel adapter, a
combination handle and extension bar attachable to a female end of the
swivel adapter, and a ratchet head. The wrench head includes a tubular
member with a longitudinal slot, and an internal C-shaped brace divide the
tubular member into two sockets at opposite ends thereof. One socket
includes six sides and five points, and the other socket includes twenty
sides and ten points, so that both sockets can securely grip all six sides
of a nut or bolt. The swivel adapter is pivotally attached between a like
pair of ears on the wrench head by a removable pin, so that it can be
removed and attached between like pair of ears on the ratchet head. The
extension bar includes a female end with a faceted outer surface that
prevents it from rolling on a slanted surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a wrench apparatus in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of one side of a wrench head of the wrench apparatus;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial broken view of a hinge pin of the wrench
apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an opposite side of the wrench head;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the wrench head positioned on a bolt;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the wrench head, taken along line 6--6
in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of one side of an alternative wrench head;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of an opposite side of the alternative wrench head.
______________________________________
DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS
______________________________________
10. Wrench Head 11. Swivel Adapter
12. Combination Handle And Extension Bar
13. Ratchet Head
14. Semi-Circular End 15. Ear
16. Ear 17. Pin
18. Ear 19. Ear
20. Hole 21. Hole
22. Annular Detent 23. Female End
24. Male End 25. Hole
26. Spring-Loaded Ball 27. Female End
28. Flat Sides 29. Shaft
30. Tubular Member 31. Slot
32. C-Shaped Brace 33. Socket
34. Socket 35. Nut
36. Bolt 37. Shaft
38. Hole 39. Hole
40. Hole 41. Ball
42. Spring 43. Annular Detent
44. Tapered Outer End 45. Bolt
46. Surface 47. Ribs
48. Ball 49. Shank
50. Spring 51. Detents
52. Wrench Head 53. Socket
54. Socket 55. Annular Brace
56. Fillet
______________________________________
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the
side perspective view of FIG. 1, a wrench apparatus includes a wrench head
10, a swivel adapter 11, a combination handle and extension bar 12, and a
ratchet head 13. Swivel adapter 11 includes a semi-circular end 14
positioned between a pair of ears 15 and 16 extending from wrench head 10.
Semi-circular end 14 is rotatably connected to ears 15 and 16 by a
removable hinge pin 17. Swivel adapter 11 can be detached from wrench head
10 and attached to ratchet head 13, which includes a pair of ears 18 and
19 with holes 20 and 21, respectively, for receiving pin 17. An annular
detent 22 is arranged in hole 20; a similar annular detent (FIG. 3) is
arranged in a corresponding hole (FIG. 3) of ear 15 of wrench head 10.
Ratchet head 13 includes a conventional ratchet mechanism for attaching to
and turning conventional sockets.
Swivel adapter 11 includes a female end 23 with a hole (not shown) for
receiving a square male end 24 of extension bar 12. A detent hole 25 is
arranged on a side of female end 23 for engaging a spring-loaded locking
ball 26 on male end 24.
Extension bar 12 includes a female end 27 with a square hole (not shown)
for receiving the square male end of any other extension bar (not shown),
so that any number of extension bars can be connected together for
increased reach or leverage. Fewer extension bars can be used when working
in confined areas. Female end 27 includes a faceted outer surface 28 with
flat sides and chamfered corners. The width of female end 27 is greater
than the diameter of a cylindrical shaft 29 of extension bar 12, so that
extension bar 12 is prevented by faceted outer surface 28 from rolling
away, even when placed on a slanted surface. Male end 24 and female end 27
preferably have four sides each. The sides of male end 24 are preferably
aligned with the sides of female end 27 to prevent extension bar 12 from
rolling. Faceted outer surface 28 also enables female end 27 to be gripped
by a conventional open or box wrench for increased turning power when
extension bar 12 is used as an extension bar instead of as a handle.
Wrench head 10 includes tubular member 30 with a longitudinal slot 31, and
a C-shaped internal brace 32 arranged at an intermediate position in
tubular member 30. Tubular member 30 is divided by brace 32 into a pair of
sockets 33 and 34 at opposite ends thereof. Brace 32 also prevents the
sockets from spreading. Socket 33 comprises a five-point, six-sided
socket, and socket 34 comprises a ten-point, twenty-sided socket for
gripping all six sides of a nut 35 or a bolt 36, so as to prevent slipping
or stripping the nut or bolt. Slot 31 is narrower than the internal width
of sockets 33 and 34. The top and bottom surfaces of brace 32 are concave
for conforming to the conventionally convex top and bottom surfaces of
nuts and bolts, and for providing fillets 56 (one shown) between the walls
of the sockets and brace 32 for increased strength. Wrench head 10 can be
positioned on nut 35 or bolt 36 by slipping one of the sockets axially
thereon. If space is limited, wrench head 10 can also be positioned on nut
35 by slipping a shaft 37 of bolt 36 through slot 31, and sliding a socket
onto nut 35. The wrench head is provided in a variety of sizes for mating
with nuts and bolts of different sizes.
FIG. 2
One side of wrench head 10 is shown in a plan view in FIG. 2. The opening
of C-shaped brace 32 is slightly larger than the diameter of shaft 37 of
the bolt, so that the threads thereon will not be damaged.
FIG. 3
Ears 15 and 16 are shown in an enlarged partial broken view in FIG. 3. Pin
17 is extended through a hole 38 on hear 16, a hole 39 on a
semi-cylindrical end 14 of swivel adapter 11, and a hole 40 on ear 15. A
ball 41 protruding slightly from the side on one end of pin 17 is loaded
by a compression spring 42 against an annular detent 43 similar to annular
detent 22 (FIG. 1) on ratchet head 13 (FIG. 1), so that pin 17 is secured
in position. A tapered outer end 44 of hole 40 enables pin 17 to be pushed
out easily for separating wrench head 10 from swivel adapter 11, so that
swivel adapter 11 can be attached to another wrench head or the ratchet
head. The distal end of pin 17 is slightly tapered for easily passing
through holes 38-40, and is slightly recessed from the outer surface of
ear 15 so as to prevent itself from being pushed out of position
inadvertently. Ball 41 is staked in position, so that it does not fall out
when pin 17 is removed.
FIG. 4
An opposite side of wrench head 10 is shown in plan view in FIG. 4.
Five-point socket 33 has five outer corners for allowing wrench head 10 to
be repositioned on a nut or bolt in sixty-degree increments for use in
relatively open spaces. Ten-point socket 34, i.e., a socket with ten outer
corners, allows wrench head 10 to be repositioned on a nut or a bolt in
thirty degree increments for working in tight spaces. Ten-point socket 34
is radially offset relative to five-point socket 33 by fifteen degrees to
enable wrench head 10 to be repositioned in fifteen degree increments by
flipping it over to switch between the two sockets.
FIG. 5
Wrench head 10 is shown in a side view in FIG. 5. The depth of the sockets
are preferably shorter than the thickness of a standard nut head 45, so
that if nut head 45 is positioned against a painted surface 46, the end of
wrench head 10 is spaced from surface 46 to avoid scratching it.
FIG. 6
As shown in the side sectional view in FIG. 6, raised ribs 47 are arranged
along the edge of brace 32 for additional strength. A ball 48 is
positioned in an orthogonal shank 49 of wrench head 10, and is loaded by a
compression spring 50 against detents 51 on semi-circular end 14 of swivel
adapter 11, which can be made in any size, e.g., 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", etc.
Swivel adapter 11, and thus also the handle (not shown), can be rotated up
to 90 degrees to each side of wrench head 10 for flexibility in confined
areas. When swivel adapter 11 is positioned at a right angle to wrench
head 10, the handle can be cranked around in a parallel manner to rotate
wrench head 10 very quickly. Spring-loaded ball 48 is also provided in
ratchet head 13 (FIG. 1). Ball 48 is staked in position, so that it does
not fall out when swivel adapter 11 is removed.
The wrench apparatus is used in a conventional manner with the following
exceptions. To tighten or loosen a nut or bolt in an unconfined space,
e.g., as in FIG. 5, five-point socket 33 is used for faster operation.
Since there is ample space, this socket can be repositioned on any of its
sixty degree increments. If the nut or bolt is in a confined space where
there is not enough room to reposition the socket and its operating handle
in sixty degree increments, ten-point socket 34 is used, so that it can be
repositioned in thirty degree increments. However, in extremely confined
spaces, even this may not be enough, so socket 33 and 34 can be used
alternately, thereby providing a finer fifteen degree increment.
FIG. 7-8
Opposite sides of an alternative wrench head 52 is shown in the plan views
in FIGS. 7 and 8. Wrench head 52 includes sockets 53 and 54 with fully
enclosed sides. Sockets 53 and 54 are six-point and twelve-point sockets,
respectively, and are also offset fifteen degrees with respect to each
other. Sockets 53 and 54 are divided by an annular brace 55 with an open
center for allowing a bolt or shaft (not shown) to pass through.
Summary and Scope
Accordingly, I have provided wrench head that securely grips all six sides
of a nut or bolt. It includes both five-point and ten-point sockets, and
six-point and twelve point sockets in an alternative embodiment. It can be
repositioned in finer increments for maximizing rotation in tight spaces.
It includes a C-shaped internal brace for strength. It is interchangeable
with different size wrench heads for reduced bulk and weight. It includes
a combination handle and extension bar which tends to stay in position
even when placed on a slanted surface. It includes a swivel adapter for
connecting the wrench heads to the handle, so that the handle can be
positioned at different angles relative to the wrench head. The swivel
adapter can be interchangeably connected to different wrench heads and a
ratchet head.
Although the above descriptions are specific, they should not be considered
as limitations on the scope of the invention, but only as examples of the
embodiments. Many substitutes and variations are possible within the
teachings of the invention. For example, wrench head 10 can be provided in
a variety of sizes. Both sockets on wrench 10 can have the same number of
sides and points. The sockets can be provided with more or fewer points
for matching special nuts and bolts. The number of points on the finer
socket need not be twice that of the other socket. Ears 15 and 16 can be
provided on other types of tool heads for attaching to swivel adapter 11.
Sockets 33, 34, 53, and 54 can be of different sizes. Extension bar 12 can
be of any length, and shaft 29 can be a square bar instead of a cylinder
to prevent rolling. Ears 15 and 16 may be provided on a handle, and
semi-circular end 14 maybe provided on a tool head. Pin 17 may be
non-removably attached to ears 15 and 16, and ball 41 and spring 42 may be
eliminated. Additional detent holes may be arranged on other sides of
female end 27. Female end 28 of extension bar 12 can have more or fewer
facets, e.g., it may have six facets for being turned by conventional box
or open end wrenches. The thickness of the parts may be varied as
necessary for strength, and to meet or exceed federal requirements. The
ratchet may be eliminated. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the
examples given.
Top